Cruising Guide to the Netherlands and Belgium

Cruising Guide to the Netherlands and Belgium is a new first edition from the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation, building on Brian Navin’s popular guide which was regarded as the authoritative companion for anyone cruising the Netherlands using fixed mast routes. The new guide provides a comprehensive overview and pilotage of the coastal ports and the mast-up routes through the heart of the Netherlands. Coverages stretches from Nieuwpoort in Belgium via the Rhine-Maas-Schelde Delta, up the coast of Holland and into the stunning cruising grounds of the Waddenzee to the border with Germany. Additionally, an edited selection of inland routes for yachts covers the rivers and canals of north and south Holland, Friesland and Groningen. The marinas, ports, and waterways of the IJsselmeer, Markermeer and Randmeren complete the volume.

The authors Kieran Flatt and Hilary Keatinge look in extensive detail at the practicalities, culture, and history of the countries, and have illustrated the guide with excellent photographs. Familiar Imray chartlets provide useful guidance. A must for anyone exploring these countries for the first time, or for frequent visitors.

About the Authors

Kieran Flatt
Kieran is a writer, editor and journalist whose main focus is on boats and sailing. He owns a 28ft Holman Twister, Cleaver II, which is currently based near Amsterdam. In the last 20 years he has cruised extensively in most sea areas between the Baltic and Biscay.

Hilary Keatinge
Hilary ‘grew up’ in Dun Laoghaire harbour and has been living and sailing ever since. Hilary began sailing in a clinker-built pram dinghy and progressed to a Heron; she sailed and team-raced in university Fireflies, then a Flying 15, a GP in Nigeria, an Enterprise in Zimbabwe. She and her husband Bill bought their first cruising boat in Jamaica in 1970 – a Tartan 27. From there they raced and cruised in various craft in Australia and for 11 years in Dutch waters. Their last boat, a much beloved Aphrodite 42, was summer home to them in many parts of the Mediterranean.

A teacher, journalist, author of Ijsselmeer Harbours (1989); The Flavour of Holland (1994); also compiler of a history of the Irish Cruising Club 1979–2004; and now co-author of Atlantic Islands.

About Imray

Imray has been publishing nautical information for recreational and professional mariners since the mid-18th century. Originally a family business, the company retains continuity through generations of maritime knowledge. Today, Imray is part of FB Imray, a joint venture with freytag & berndt (Austrian cartographic specialists). This has allowed them to combine traditional expertise with modern production methods.

Imray is recognised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a chart producer. Their portfolio extends beyond paper charts to include pilot books, cruising guides, almanacs, and navigation handbooks.